The Rise of the White Lotus

"Yamada-san!" After purchasing the ornament, Aki followed her tracks which led him to one of the pubs in the capital. Hastening his pace, he soon reached Tora's continuous strides.

"Hmm?" Baffled that he followed her, Tora stopped as she tilted her head to the side.

"I — uh…" Attempting to give the ornament he bought for her, Aki suddenly choked as his words wouldn't come out. He was a smooth-talker and yet, it seemed the words were stuck in his throat.

"Do you want to drink?" After some time, Tora offered. In normal days, Tora would just ignore him. However, since he helped her in choosing a gift, she wanted to return the favor. Moreover, she somehow felt that she wanted someone to talk to.

"Oh…" Surprised by the sudden invitation, Aki blinked his eyes numerous times before he saw Tora resumed on her strides that snapped him and followed behind her. Well, that was quite rare of an invitation hence, why would he reject?

****

"What a lively town…" From the upper floor of the establishment, Aki stared at the bustling nightlife of the town. It was night, but unlike other small towns, nobles, peasant, and other commoners of the kingdom were out, watching a group of performers.

Since the Emperor's birthday was coming, performers were performing to honor the late king and his venture. And yet, despite the respect they were showing, no one was fond of that tyrant king. Regardless, it has been a tradition and this, this had just become a mere entertainment without taking the "great" achievements of the royal family.

"It is," Gazing down, Tora subtly smiled at the peacefulness of this place as if they were free from fear of war.

"Alas, it was bustling if people are ridiculing the royal family." Staring at the performance, Aki knew that this performance that was a facade to honor the late emperor was a mere show for entertainment. It wasn't encouraging the people to hail the royal family, despite the obvious message of how great the former king.

"The royal family huh…" Without turning to him, Tora remained her eyes on the joyous area down the establishment. "I wonder if there's a day that his majesty would see this." her tone was low and if Aki wasn't keen enough, he wouldn't be able to hear her.

"Huh?" Aki slightly creased his brows as he slowly turned to see her side profile. "Why would you want to his royal highness to see that his kindred were being mocked?" Insulted a little, a frown flashed across his face for a split second which Tora didn't notice as her gaze was glued on the occurrence below them.

"No, but for him to be aware of other's perspective. What the late king had done, or the previous ruler of this nation, his majesty should believe in his own capabilities — he is not them. People mocked the late king, but not the current emperor." 

For a moment, Aki was taken aback in her statement. He couldn't utter a word as he could only stare at her for a while. "If someone hears you, you'll surely face a grave crime." He reminded her because they were in a public place and yet, Tora would speak lightly of the king. After all, even if her intentions were pure, there were rules to follow.

"His Majesty, the King…" Tora paused as the years of serving this country from being a small-time captain, to being a daimyo, until she became a general flashed across her mind. Although Tora sometimes looked at the King as a child, deep down, she understood him.

Being born in a royal family, the moment he was born in this world, many people had attempted to take his life away from him. As he grew up, his environment was filled with contempt, all the while having a powerless father of a king. Hence, his days were a daily battle.

No wonder he has trust issues. After all, Tora being born from the Chisaka family, although it was a powerful family, it was not the same as the young emperor's situation. She had climbed the ranks without any pressure as she was a woman while the emperor was born, knowing he might end up just like his father.

Despite that, she would still often irritate the emperor just because he was too stubborn. Tora knew that she was somewhat petty sometimes and shouldn't do that. However, she couldn't sweet talk the king thus, maybe, she could let him know that she was an ally by being a blunt lad.

"…I prayed that he could see that he is different from the rest and move forward so he can lead the people." Tora murmured. Indeed, she had hope that the emperor wouldn't be blinded by the past and move forward. If only he could do that, Tora would willingly stand with him side by side.

The thing was, the scar from the past generation had been deep-rooted that five years of being a general wasn't enough to show that she could be trusted.

"Yamada-san…" Aki's heart was moved. All his life, no one said that he could be different because his fate was already set in stone. He knew that one day, the ministers from the powerful family would have their hands around his neck whether or not he was against it.

"Hmm?" Humming a tune, Tora just subtly smiled as she continued to watch the show. Just then, she felt that Aki put something on her hair which diverted her focus to him.

"Even with just one ornament, a lady must have it." With a smile, Aki was right. The jaded hairpin looked elegant with her.

"Huh?" Tora touched the tie of her hair and felt a hairpin inserted in it. Just as she would pull it out to see what kind of hairpin he placed on her hair, Aki raised his arm and held on the hand that was on her hair.

"Simple yet when worn by the rightful person, it would be elegant than all the gold. Keep it, Yamada-san. It might serve you as your protection charm." Aki looked at her with a smile, staring straight at her blinking eyes.

He never thought that mere words would captivate him. Alas, she captured him: she captured his heart without short notice, and he realized that this was just the last straw before he could free fall, deeper and deeper to someone his heart yearned.